The jumps season comes to a close at Sandown Park on Saturday with a stellar card, and our horse racing correspondent Jonathan Doidge has identified five selections for the day. Here are the best bets and odds for the finale.
Minella Yoga (Sandown, 13.45) – 1pt each-way @ 13/2 (bet365)
Minella Yoga, who suffered just one defeat in his juvenile campaign, is tipped to triumph in the Novices' Championship Final. Three of the seven previous winners of this race have been four-year-olds, and trainer Paul Nicholls, who has won it twice with six-year-olds, knows the required profile. The gelding won on testing ground on debut in Ireland but has since thrived on a sound surface, which is expected on Saturday. His sole loss came in a Cheltenham Grade 2, finishing third behind Maestro Conti. Dan Skelton, who trained the winner that day, will receive the trainers' title trophy and has a good measure of favourite Kadastral. Minella Yoga's latest easy win, eased down by 10 lengths, earned a 4lb rise, which seems fair, and off a mark of 132, he looks well treated. With 19 runners, an each-way bet is recommended.
Matterhorn (Sandown, 14.20) – 1pt win @ 10/3 (William Hill)
Paul Nicholls has strong chances of a double with Matterhorn in this Grade 2 contest over an extended 2m6f. Blow Your Wad is the official top-rated and favourite, but Matterhorn, rated 5lb inferior, may prefer good going. The market leader, trained by Gary & Josh Moore, has been in good company and deservedly won at Chepstow last time, but he might need softer ground. Matterhorn has a solid strike rate of 5-11 over fences and is unexposed over this trip, making him a value pick to beat the favourite.
Jonbon (Sandown, 14.55) – 2pts win @ 13/8 (William Hill)
Jonbon boasts an exceptional record at Sandown, with five wins and two seconds from seven starts over course and distance. Now ten years old, he faces stiff opposition from Thistle Ask and Solness, who impressed in the Melling Chase. However, Jonbon returns to this trip after a win and a defeat over longer distances, and Nicky Henderson has him in peak condition after a six-week break. He is expected to extend his remarkable Sandown record.
Montregard (Sandown, 15.30) – 1pt each-way @ 11/2 (bet365)
Montregard, carrying JP McManus's colours, missed the Ayr heavy ground last week but is fancied for the bet365 Gold Cup. Trainer Tom Lacey's string is in fine form, and this seven-year-old has improved markedly, winning three of his last five starts. The trip is half a mile shorter than the Scottish National, increasing his chances of staying. He acts on a sound surface and, based on his Ascot Grade 3 win, looks well treated off a 4lb higher mark. An each-way bet is advised.
Favour And Fortune (Sandown, 17.15) – 1pt win @ 7/1 (William Hill)
A large field assembles for the season finale, and Favour And Fortune can finally secure a deserved victory. Alan King's eight-year-old is 3-12 over hurdles and has run well in competitive handicaps, including a third at Aintree behind Wellington Arch. This trip and good or slower ground suit him perfectly, and despite carrying 12st, he is taken to win.
Free Horse Racing Bets
Virgin Bet offers a money-back promotion on one of the ITV Racing races each Saturday. If your selection doesn't win, you'll receive a free bet up to £10. No opt-in required; only the win part of each-way bets qualifies.
Responsible Gambling
Gamble responsibly. Set a budget, never chase losses, and use responsible gambling tools like deposit limits and self-exclusion. For help, visit BeGambleAware or Gamcare. Gambling can be addictive; only bet what you can afford to lose.
